Child custody and visitation rights are very emotional issues facing couples who are in the process of separation. Virginia child custody laws surround the key point of "best interests of the child or children" listed under Section 20-124.3 of the Virginia Code.

§ 20-124.3. Best interests of the child; visitation.

In determining best interests of a child for purposes of determining custody or visitation arrangements including any pendente lite orders pursuant to § 20-103, the court shall consider the following:

1. The age and physical and mental condition of the child, giving due consideration to the child's changing developmental needs;

2. The age and physical and mental condition of each parent;

3. The relationship existing between each parent and each child, giving due consideration to the positive involvement with the child's life, the ability to accurately assess and meet the emotional, intellectual and physical needs of the child;

4. The needs of the child, giving due consideration to other important relationships of the child, including but not limited to siblings, peers and extended family members;

5. The role that each parent has played and will play in the future, in the upbringing and care of the child;

6. The propensity of each parent to actively support the child's contact and relationship with the other parent, including whether a parent has unreasonably denied the other parent access to or visitation with the child;

7. The relative willingness and demonstrated ability of each parent to maintain a close and continuing relationship with the child, and the ability of each parent to cooperate in and resolve disputes regarding matters affecting the child;

8. The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of reasonable intelligence, understanding, age and experience to express such a preference;

9. Any history of family abuse as that term is defined in § 16.1-228 or sexual abuse. If the court finds such a history, the court may disregard the factors in subdivision 6; and

10. Such other factors as the court deems necessary and proper to the determination.

The judge shall communicate to the parties the basis of the decision either orally or in writing. Our Virginia attorney child custody can provide you legal advise regarding your custody case.

American Lawyers Group, PLLC assists clients throughout Virginia, in their child custody cases. Our child custody attorney, will listen and review all facts of your case and provide legal advise. You can contact our attorney for child custody at 703.786.8340.

ATTORNEY FOR CHILD CUSTODY

can assist you with all your legal family needs, that include

-VIRGINIA DIVORCE

-UNCONTESTED DIVORCE

-CHILD SUPPORT

-CHILD CUSTODY

-ADOPTIONS

-VISITATION RIGHTS

-NAME CHANGE

-PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS

-MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENTS

Our Attorney for Child Custody will listen to your needs whether it is a new child custody case or a modificaiton of a child custody and will provide legal advise. Please contact our Virginia child custody attorney at 703.786.8340